Category Archives: Former issues
Degrowth Project, Manifesto for an Unconditional Autonomy Allowance
[Originally: Éditions Utopia, 2013.]
No. 96 | (Winter 2012)
The main topic of this issue of Eszmélet is the "structural crisis of capitalism". Historical and theoretical analysis is presented on the social-economical features of "new capitalism" of Easter Europe or by the words of A. Tarasov on the "second edition of capitalism" on the semi-periphery. One crucial element of these is the regression in the agricultural development: the extreme weakness of the SME sector, that is a severe step backwards even comparing to the state socialist era. Although there is a historically determined inherent tension between the socialist-communist ideas of emancipation propagated by the state socialist system and its actual reality but a sophisticated judgement on the system is made in relation to the concurrent developments in Western Europe.
In the documents section a letter of József Szigeti is published from his archives, which casts light on the background why Ágnes Heller defamed István Mészáros. The sociographic photos of Lewis Wickes Hine from the "dark past of America" illustrate that the historical foundations of the most modern capitalism are still working this days despite any change in its present forms.
Table of contents
- Immanuel Wallerstein : The Wold Class Struggle: The Geography of Protest
- Nigel Swain : A Post-Socialist Capitalism
- Alekszandr Nyikolajevics Taraszov : The “Second Edition of Capitalism” in Russia
- Vámos György : Perpetrators and Scapegoats at the Hungarian Radio after 1945
- Susan Zimmermann : Gender Regime and Gender Struggle in Hungarian State Socialism
- Szarka Klára : Illustrated Chapters from the Dark Past of America. Photoes of Lewis Wickes Hine
- Révész József : József Szigeti as Philosopher (1921-2012)
- Szigeti József : Informative Contribution to the Bolivar Prize Case
- Ignacio Ramonet : WikiLeaks
- Tütő László : Resignation, “Better not to Know”, Being Busy Bees. Variations on Withdrawal No. 2 “Escape into Freedom”
- Koltai Mihály Bence : Why Ideology?
“Socios” and “Ecos”. Dilemmas of Community Economy
According to the author, the alternatives of the present day Hungary seem to come from two directions: there are those who act because they are forced the so-called 'socios' and those who act voluntarily the so-called 'ecos'. Both groups are trying to implement postcapitalist ways of living, which could show ways out of the ever deepening and generalized crises we all face. Their potential and connections will determine the results of the community initiatives. Is another Hungary possible?
Cradles of a Different Europe. The History of Longo Mai Cooperatives in Europe, 1968-2012
In December 1972 a group of young people from over 10 European countries hold a meeting in Basel with the aim of "creating experimental zones as expressions of a Europe in solidarity, communities of peace and democracy, which are self-sustaining due to agriculture, handicraft and manufactured products derived from the communities." This essay – based mainly on the book written by Beatriz Graf in 2006 and on an interview made with Heike Schiebeck in the summer of 2012 – tries to give an overall picture about the rich story of the Longo Mai Cooperatives.